DESPITE having locked away an all-important top four position on the VFL ladder, Casey Scorpions coach Brad Gotch has a simple message for his playing group on the eve of the 2010 finals series: "A new challenge awaits us."

Yet again the Scorpions have defied the critics and are now being taken seriously as a premiership contender, but Gotch is fully aware that there is no place for sentiment at the business end of the season, saying "I'm really proud of coaching this team into the top four, but I know from previous experience that things get much harder from this point onwards".

After a hard-fought victory over a star-studded Northern Bullants outfit, the Scorpions could sleep a little easier with the knowledge that they have given themselves every opportunity to taste premiership success by guaranteeing the all-important double chance.

"If you're going to be fair dinkum about winning the premiership, you need the double chance. So we feel that we have put ourselves in a good position," Gotch said.

The Scorpions have had to earn their past two victories, with contests against a young and determined Gold Coast team along with the skillful Bullants providing the best possible tune-up. Their recent resilience in the face of difficult opponents, coupled with the fact they hold victories over every team in the top eight with the exception of Williamstown this season, will no doubt be vital for the relatively inexperienced Casey squad.